Oct 30, 2026
The Groes Girls // Series 013 Olivia Wayman
We met with Olivia Wayman, also known as Olivia’s Shopping Diary, in her home county of the Cotswolds to discuss all things personal style, the art of building a considered wardrobe and her favourite countryside recommendations.
From the streets of New York to the quiet charm of the English countryside, Olivia shares her approach to dressing, the importance of finding your own style and her guide to the perfect Cotswolds weekend.
Read her full interview and shop her favourite pieces below.
CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF? HOW DID YOUR JOURNEY INTO FASHION AND CURATION BEGIN?
I’m 26, a scorpio and live in the countryside. I have always been attracted to pretty things and wanted to work in fashion before I realised that was even a career! I started like most do, working for free and learning everything I possibly could. I had multiple roles and experiences before I even thought of doing my own thing, and even once I started it was more of a creative outlet. I feel incredibly grateful that over a series of months what I had been doing seemed to resonate with others, now here we are.
YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME IN NEW YORK, HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE NEW YORK STYLE TO LONDON STYLE, AND WHAT CULTURAL INFLUENCES DO YOU THINK SHAPE EACH CITY’S APPROACH TO DRESSING?
I love New York style, the freedom of it and exploratory nature. People aren’t afraid to wear exactly what they like. There is also a certain edge to New York fashion that just doesn’t exist in London. However, in saying that everytime I come home I always admire how clean and polished Londoners look. Both deep rooted in each countries history, that has evidently trickled down to today’s version.
FOR THE PERFECT LONG WEEKEND IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS, FROM WHAT TO PACK TO WHERE TO GO?
If we’re talking the Cotswolds I would steer away from big popular hotels and book a perfect Airbnb in the middle of the countryside. The Daylesford cottages are perfect too. From there I would do all the expected things, a Daylesford shop and lunch, a walk and explore nearby villages, a Soho trip if you’re so inclined and finish off with a pub dinner at somewhere like The Chequers in Churchill or Canteen.
YOUR STYLE FEELS INCREDIBLY EFFORTLESS YET CONSIDERED. WHAT ARE YOUR KEY STYLING PRINCIPLES WHEN PUTTING TOGETHER A LOOK?
Don’t overthink it, don’t try to completely emulate someone else’s look, always add something that feels like you. Curate pieces with meaning and make those your signature staple.
